Army edges out Holy Cross in a closely-fought football match
Holy Cross Football Secures Victory in Patriot League Opener
In a hard-fought battle, the Holy Cross Crusaders emerged victorious against Army in their first Patriot League game of the season. The Crusaders' star quarterback, Matthew Sluka, returned to the starting lineup and delivered a solid performance, rushing for 171 yards on 37 carries. However, Holy Cross' running game struggled overall.
Running backs Jordan Fuller and Tyler Purdy combined for 68 yards on 11 carries, while Tyrell Robinson scored a touchdown on six carries for 45 yards. Army, known for their run-heavy approach, saw quarterback Bryson Daily complete only four passes for 79 yards.
The game was a defensive battle, with Army scoring only ten points. Holy Cross' first points came in the 11:47 mark of the fourth quarter. The Crusaders' offense was hampered by two turnovers - a fumble and an interception by Sluka, and a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown.
The Crusaders' defense, led by Junior Frankie Monte, stood strong. Monte recorded 13 tackles, including an electric 4th down goalline stop, and was awarded the Patriot League Defender of the Week.
With the win, Holy Cross and Lafayette now sit at the top of the Patriot League leaderboard, both needing a win to secure a playoff spot. The Crusaders' next challenge comes against Fordham in the Ram-Crusader cup.
In other news, Ben Lepper, a student majoring in English and minoring in French, holds the positions of Editor-in-Chief of The Spire & The Criterion. Nathan Howard, involved in The Spire and Moot Court, is a student with majors in Art History and Political Science. Ben Kuchipudi '25, the Sports Editor, and Ben Lepper '25, the Chief Sports Editor, continue to guide the coverage of Holy Cross sports.
The new head coach of the Holy Cross football team is Dan Curran. Under his leadership, the Crusaders have won their last five consecutive Patriot League championships. As the season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the Crusaders' continued success.
